Automotive News, Media & Press - 470bhp@60mpg & 600hp@50mpg Lexus

From Auto Express
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae_news_story.php?da=1&id=45233&akwd=mazda_banner
Mean, Green Lexus On Way
Wednesday 24th March 2004
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/48341.jpg
Things look set to get highly charged at Toyota. The company intends to enter the performance saloon market with a family of Lexus models that will all feature hybrid technology.

Engineers are currently working on two machines, one of which will be a new version of the flagship LS. However, first to hit the road will be the GS350 GT, which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. Expected in August 2005 and aimed at the Mercedes E55 AMG, it will mark Lexus' first anniversary of sales in Japan, and sport a 300bhp 3.5-litre V6 mated to a 170bhp electric motor. Offering an astounding 470bhp, the car will feature all-wheel drive and be capable of around 60mpg.

But if you think that sounds impressive, then just wait another 12 months, when Lexus' ultimate hybrid - the LS500 GT - will appear. Combining a 400bhp 5.0-litre V8 with a 200bhp electric motor, the car will offer at least 600bhp and be targeted at the Mercedes S-Class flagship, the S600L.

Thanks to predicted improvements in battery technology, economy of more than 50mpg is expected - double the standards set by traditional petrol engines of equivalent performance.

But the march to bring eco-friendly performance technology to Lexus models won't stop there. The firm's popular IS will inherit a new flagship when it is replaced in 2006. The IS350 GT will offer a tuned version of the 3.5-litre V6 that will be in the GS. However, it's not clear if it will sport a hybrid powerplant, although it may integrate some of the bigger system's fuel-saving technology, including engine stop and start systems which save fuel in stationary traffic.

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/48339.jpg

For now, the cost of hybrid technology means it's likely to be reserved for Toyota and Lexus' most expensive models. However, at the Geneva Motor Show this month, one Toyota insider told us that the company was committed to hybrid cars, and that ultimately they will be available right across both ranges.

-Peter Lyon



I'll believe it when I see it.
-Adam

I'm from Missouri. So they will have to show me. But if they pull that off it'll be freaking awesome!

I'd drive it ;)

sounds pimpin.

bet it'll be a whole lotta money though

sounds a bit too good to be true, BUT technology is an awesome thing.

Yea, but how much does a electric motor capable of 200hp weigh??

thats a big freakin electric motor.

and whats the mpg when getting on it :D

what about the SC 430 I thought that was their flagship? they were supposed to supeercharge the V8 in that but haven't yet.

Ahhh, the hybrids are starting to get interesting now.

Couple things I would still be skeptical of are (as noted above) weight and the added complexity. Certainly sounds promising though - its really like a next generation power adder - albeit a heavy one. I wonder about those mpg numbers too. Didn't they modify the EPA test cycle to give the hybrids an advantage? I thought I remember reading that and the fact that in the real world the Prius isn't getting the mileage for which its rated.

when I can mod a hybrid to 500 HP then I'll buy one

Um, it said it comes with 600.

when I can mod a hybrid to 500 HP then I'll buy one

There are a few people experimenting with tuning the prius. If i remember what I read correctly a few people got them to run low low 14s. Thats pretty damn fast for a hybrid if you ask me. (I dont remember what magazine that article was in)

There are a few people experimenting with tuning the prius. If i remember what I read correctly a few people got them to run low low 14s. Thats pretty damn fast for a hybrid if you ask me. (I dont remember what magazine that article was in)
Maybe the ricers will start doing Hybirds next....

goddam toyota...

Does a 400hp gas motor AND a 200hp electric motor equal a 600hp motor?? I would think that either the gas OR the elec motor powers the car at any given time..

I doubt both the gas and elec power the car at the same time.. also the car would be heavy as hell with the additional weight of the electrical portion. AWD is nice but it sucks a LOT of hp through drivetrain loss (i should know :) )

If it sounds too good to be true......................................

Usually what they do with these setups is drive the front wheels with the gas engine and the rears with a electric motor. The one thing you need to remember about electric motors is while they dont always generate alot of horsepower they can put out a ton of torque. Hell the Toyota Prius which isnt even a performance oriented car, has a electric motor that makes 295 ft of torque. They do run out of juice pretty quick but matched to a fairly powerful gas motor they can really get up and go.

Yea but usually they work like this.. the elec motor gets the car from a stop to speed then the gas engine takes over.. hence the good milage :)

I will believe the performance side when I see it.. cool concept though :D

even so 400bhp is pretty damn good.